Iolani topples Lunas

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

The Iolani School girls basketball team has had to play most of the season without its best player, senior guard Trisha Nishimoto. And for nine crucial minutes in last night's state tournament first-round game against Lahainaluna, the Raiders had to do it again.

Iolani's Ginger Gravelle, left, and Lana Young sandwich Lahainaluna's Monika Vehikite. Gravelle scored 20 points in a 60-35 win. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

Nishimoto, who missed all but one game in the regular season with a high ankle sprain, expects to play. She started yesterday's game despite feeling sick all morning. With three minutes remaining in the second period, she collided with the Lunas' Monique Blando and both players went sprawling to the floor. Blando quickly recovered, but Nishimoto had to be helped up and walked wobbly to the bench.

"It's the lowest-grade concussion," Iolani coach Glenn Takara said after the game. "She just has some dizziness, with no loss of memory."

The scene reminded the Raiders of their season-opener against Mid-Pacific, when Nishimoto went down with the left ankle sprain. She just returned to action last week.

"When we saw her on the ground, we thought, 'Oh no, not again,' " said Iolani sophomore Ginger Gravelle, who scored a game-high 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds. "But at least we've had experience playing without her, and we knew we could still win."

Lana Young sank both free throws for Nishimoto to give Iolani a 26-13 lead. But by the time Nishimoto returned with two minutes left in the third quarter, Lahainaluna had closed to 34-31.

Monika Vehikite scored 12 points during that span for the Lunas, who made it 36-34 on Blando's free throw with 50 seconds remaining in the period. Gravelle hit a baseline jumper with 20 seconds left to give the Raiders a 38-34 lead entering the fourth.

Gravelle drained another baseline jumper early in the final quarter to make it 40-34, and then made a banker to push the lead to 42-35 with 7:10 remaining.

"She was outstanding," Lahainaluna coach Todd Rickard said of Gravelle. "We played a (zone) to keep their post players out, but I guess their posts can shoot from outside."

For the Lunas, the beginning of the end came with 6:12 left, when post Fa'ai Hala'api'api fouled out. Vehikite followed her to the bench with 4:30 left, and Blando fouled out 36 seconds later. The three players had combined for 25 points and 24 rebounds.

Iolani 12 17 9 22—60
Lahainaluna 6 16 12 1—35

Iolani—Trisha Nishimoto 10, Raeceen Woolford 4, Lana Young 8, Ginger Gravelle 20, Fabriann Gin 4, Jennifer Nagamine 0, Jackie-Lynn Sasaki 3, Kiani Wong 2, Keri Oyadomari 0, Patricia Wong 7, Diana McClain 2, Chelsea Wong 0. Totals 19 17-35 60.

Lahainaluna—Missy Kaina 0, Hannalore Cabrera 5, Sherlyn Yadao 2, Monika Vehikite 14, Fatai Halaapiapi 9, Krystle Omlan 3, Kele Fushikoshi 0, Janet Bilog 0, Jessica Maielua 0, Bianca Schwarz 0, Monique Blando 2. Totals 12 10-20 35.

3-point goals—Iolani 5 (Gravelle 3, Nishimoto, Sasaki). Lahainaluna 1 (Omlan).

• MOANALUA 35, WAIAKEA 32: Patti Hardimon scored a game-high 14 points, including 5-of-6 free throws in the final period, to lift the Menehune.

Moanalua 2 8 15 10—35
Waiakea 2 7 11 12—32

Moanalua—Christina Sierra 6, Sasha Silva 4, Patti Hardimon 14, Kepua Lee 6, Marleen Leautu 3, Jessica Moran 0, Jessie Kamakura 0, Brittany Briem 0, Team 2. Totals 12 10-20 35.

Waiakea—Ashley Kualii 6, Stacey Yanagihara 9, Amy Kaaiakamanu 10, Kristine Irvine 0, Genevieve Girdner 4, Jessica Yeh 0, Adrienne Ohashi 0, Katie Morigaki 0, Jobette Nabarro 3. Totals 11 4-8 32.

3-point goals—Moanalua 1 (Hardimon). Waiakea 6 (Yanagihara 3, Kaaiakamanu 2, Kualii).

• KAHUKU 65, KAPA'A 40: Mereani Lewenilovo scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Red Raiders past the Warriors, who trailed 19-3 after one period and 39-18 at the half.

KAPA'A 3 15 10 12—40
KAHUKU 19 20 10 16—65

Kapa'a—Bristol King 0, Nichol Kunioka-Volz 0, Sharlene Carillo 0, Danille Hill 7, Kanoe Arinaga 8, Jasmine Stevenson 4, Ihilani Yama 8, Brianne States 0, Jackie Alapai 0, Tania Tasic 13, Tescily Macguire 0. Totals 14 12-23 40.

Kahuku—Krisha Kai 0, Mereani Lewinilovo 23, Lesina Funaki 0, Nadia Nahe 0, Jazzman Kaka 0, Annie Soliai 3, Nicole Pouha 0, Michelle Peters 9, Nancy Vave 0, Charlotte Leitupo 2, Karla Tailele 11, Melissa Aumua 5, Kelci Naihe 10, Tanya Alo 2, Ranon Manumaleuna 0, Alberta Fotu 0. Totals 28 6-14 65.

3-point goals—Kahuku 3 (Naihe 2, Tailele 1).

• PUNAHOU 61, PEARL CITY 34: Becky Hogue scored 11 points to lead the Buffanblu.

Christie Ayers scored 14 points for the Chargers.

Pearl City 5 11 6 12—34
Punahou 17 12 13 19—61

Pearl City—Jillian Soria 2, Christie Ayers 14, Chalice Kaapuni 0, Kelli Yuen 0, Marci Lobendahn 7, Darci Hamamoto 0, Amy Fujihara 0, Joni Yoon 2, Jamie Iwata 0, Kristin Lai 3, K. Riego de Dios 0, Tatum Higdon 0, Frances Mabalay 4, Tina Questel 2, Kellie Nishikida 0, Lusia Kleinschmidt 0. Totals 14 6-10 34.

Punahou—Rachel Kane 2, Elyse Umeda 2, Shanna-Lei Dacanay 5, Kelly Karns 8, Becky Hogue 11, Elizabeth Lee 0, Eryn Chun 4, Megan Abbot 8, Seisha Sukekane 6, Kristen LaVine 4, Anuhea Macfarlane 2, Janelle Shin 2, Sydney Anderson 5, Christine Takara 2. Totals 25 10-13 61.

3-point goal—Punahou 1 (Dacanay).